Wall Street Journal Reports 127% increase in Private Investments in Mexico Tourism Industry

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Kansas City Southern Mexico increases 12% of freight movement

The railroad Kansas City Southern Mexico (KCSM) reported registering 488 million dollars in its revenue, which rose 12% between January and March compared to the same period of 2010. According to Mexican Business Web, the positive data was based on sales in the automotive sector, which advanced 43% compared to same period in 2010.

More good news for Mexico's foreign investment

From the PR Newswire, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Mexico rose to $4.8 billion in the first quarter of 2011, an increase of 10.5 percent from the same period in 2010. Get the full story from prnewsire.com.

Mexican stocks rise, overcome weak U.S. data

According to marketwatch.com, Mexican stocks edged higher on Wednesday, overcoming earlier losses that followed a weaker-than-expected report about durable-goods orders in the U.S., Mexico’s largest trading partner. Despite this report, in the first quarter of this year alone Mexican economic activity expanded by 4.6%. Also, investors in Mexican assets will watch for Friday’s central-bank meeting, where policy makers are expected to leave the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 4.5%.

Top fund managers putting their money in Mexico

Analysts say Mexico City-based America Movil SAB will post growth every quarter through the end of 2012. David Winters, the New Jersey-based manager of Mountain Lakes, who oversees the $1.43 billion Wintergreen Fund said, “We have money in Norway, we have money in Mexico,” Winters went on to say that,“What we try to look for in each one of these countries is, where are the gems, what are the companies that really have what it takes for you as a shareholder to do well.” Read the full story from investmentnews.com

2010 Investments in Mexico and Caribbean see an increase in returns

Several factors resulted in the increased FDI receipts in 2010, which include improved performance of developed economies and the buoyancy of certain emerging economies. These factors boosted several Latin American sectors and increased demand.

Chrysler Investing in Mexico for production of Fiat SpA 500

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of both automakers, said during an event with President Felipe Calderon, that "Mexico is in an ideal position for production of this car because of free trade agreements with neighbors to both the north and the south,” [and] because of the bridge between NAFTA and Latin America.”

Carlos Slim plans 3.6 billion in Mexico investments

According to Reuters online, the richest man on the planet, Carlos Slim, says he plans to boost investment in Mexico by 20 percent with telecoms, mining and infrastructure taking center stage.

Economic alliance for Columbia, Chile, Peru, and Mexico

The presidents of Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Peru signed an agreement that will pursue an integration of their economies and strengthen trade links with the Asia-Pacific region. Read more about this economic alliance and what it means for Mexico.

Investment in Mazatlan Real Estate on the Rise

According to the US census bureau 55% of the people in United States want to move when they retire. Find out why Baby Boomers are leading the real estate charge in Mexico.

Canada sees opportunity in Mexico

According to the The Maquila Portal, Canadian businessmen are keeping a high interest in investing in Mexico. Canada’s Ambassador to Mexico, Guillermo Rishchynski pointed-out that in the last decade Canadian investment in Mexico was over US$10 billion.

Mexico remains a strong investment partner for General Electric

“Mexico Is Opportunity,” said Gabriela Hernandez Cardoso, CEO of General Electric-Mexico. During a recent interview, Cardoso pointed-out that GE will remain a strong partner for Mexico, ruling out any trouble in GE’s capacity to generate jobs or worry about a lack of safety. She did acknowledge that safety-related costs have gone up, but stated, “this is not an issue with a significant impact on the company’s income in Mexico”.

Luxury automobile, Alfa Romeo, returns to Mexico

Alfa Romeo, the high-end automobiles brand, will return to Mexico as of June 2011. Victor Villanueva, CEO of Alfa Romeo - Mexico, confirmed in an interview with Maqulia Portal that Alfa Romeo is coming back with Mito, Giulietta and 159 other models. Alfa Romeo will open 3 dealerships in Mexico’s main cities and plans to reach 6 locations by the end of 2011.

Qatar and Mexico Expand Diplomatic Relations, Qatar to Invest in Mexico

Mexico is expanding its diplomatic relations with Qatar and plans to open an embassy in Doha before the end of the year. Currently, 250 Mexicans live in the country and both countries expect the number to grow weekly. Several trade and investment contracts between the countries are underway and Qatar intends to invest in Mexico and hire Mexican engineers, pilots, experts and consultants. Later this year when Qatar’s HH the Emir visits Mexico, Mexico and Qatar will finalize agreements including a memorandum of understanding between the Business Council of Mexico and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "We are hoping that the visit comes through this year. The signing of the agreements will take place during the visit. Besides economic and trade agreements, Qatar and Mexico are also due to sign agreements in the field of culture as well as education, as we want more Mexican students to come to Qatar," Jorge Alvarez, Mexico's ambassador to Lebanon, said.

Microfinance in Mexico: Contributing to Mexican Economic Development

Microfinance in Mexico is a key part of Mexican economic development. It promotes both economic growth and social justice. That is why it is encouraging news to report that the Mexican financial institution Banco Compartamos has had its credit rating reaffirmed by Standard & Poor’s. Banco Compartamos S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple specializes in microfinance, and it is the largest lender to microbusiness owners in Latin America. Established in 1990 and headquartered in Mexico City, Compartamos provides small loans to low-income Mexican individuals and business owners, such as craft manufacturers, food vendors and other small businesses. As an essential actor for microfinance in Mexico, the Bank also provides home improvement loans and life insurance products to its clients. Standard & Poor’s determined that “The stable outlook reflects our expectation that Compartamos will maintain an important pace of market penetration, while maintaining its asset quality supported by its good financial profile and its strong capital base.”

Tourism Sector to Bring Increased Foreign Investment in Mexico

Over the next three years, foreign investment in Mexico will experience a boom from the country's tourism sector, authorities say. The investments come mainly from Spanish, German and Asian companies, Economy Secretary Bruno Ferrari and Tourism Secretary Gloria Guevara said at a press conference. Secretary Guevars said that now "there exists a committed investment of $2.5 billion," and that another $1 billion "will be arriving at the proper time."

Nearly $2.5 billion is already committed to development projects, with an additional $1 billion expected to follow. The estimated $3.5 billion in investment will create approximately 20,000 jobs around the country. Foreign investment in Mexico will come from mainly Spanish, German and Asian companies and hotel groups like Melia and Barcelo, which are already expanding their operations in Mexico. Tourism is Mexico's third-largest source of income, valued at 9 percent of the country’s gross domestic product and is a key area for growth. Last month President Felipe Calderon, along with private sector companies and unions, signed the National Tourism Accord with the goal of promoting Mexico’s tourism industry.